Custom Printed Compostable Bags in India: A Buying Checklist
On this page
- Step 1: Which custom printed compostable bag do you need?
- Step 2: What artwork does the printer need?
- Step 3: How many colours and how much ink?
- Step 4: What should the bag say about being compostable?
- Step 5: How should you check the proof?
- Step 6: What affects the price of a printed order?
- Who prints and makes the bags?
- Frequently asked questions
To order custom printed compostable bags, fix the bag first, then the artwork. Choose the bag type, size and thickness for your load, get the exact print area from the manufacturer, and send a clean logo file (PDF, AI, EPS or SVG). Approve a proof for every size, check every letter of your phone number and website, and keep the approved file for repeat orders.
A printed carry bag is the one piece of advertising your customer carries home for free. This checklist helps you get it right the first time.
Step 1: Which custom printed compostable bag do you need?
Start with the bag, not the logo. The bag type, size and handle decide how much space you have to print, and your logo will look very different on a 10×12 bag than on a 16×20 one. Match the bag to what you sell, then design for that print area.
- U-cut or W-cut carry bags: retail counters, pharmacies, takeaway. Sizes from 8×10 to 27×30 inches, 30–50 microns.
- D-cut carry bags: boutiques, jewellery, gift and sweet shops. Sizes from 8×12 to 20×24 inches, 35–60 microns.
- Garment bags: clothing stores, tailors and laundries.
- Produce bags: supermarkets that want their name on loose-produce bags.
Sizes are from our size chart and are approximate. If you are unsure which handle to choose, read U-cut vs D-cut carry bags.
Step 2: What artwork does the printer need?
Send the original logo file, not a screenshot from Instagram or WhatsApp. Small, blurry logos print badly on film.
| You send | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Logo as PDF, AI, EPS or SVG | Sharp edges at any size |
| Brand colours (Pantone or hex codes) | Closer colour match |
| Exact text: name, phone, website, address | No typing mistakes |
| One side or both sides | Changes the print setup |
| Any must-print markings | So the design leaves space for them |
Ask the manufacturer to mark the non-printable areas: the handle cut, the side folds and the bottom seal. Keep your logo and phone number away from those edges.
Step 3: How many colours and how much ink?
We print 1 to 4 colours. One or two keep cost and setup simple. If your logo has more colours, like a toy shop with a different colour for each letter, we can print up to four. A large solid block of colour across the whole bag uses more ink and can change the price and the look of the film. A bold logo on a plain bag usually reads better from across a street than a busy full-cover design.
If you sell from a busy market, test this: hold the printed sample three metres away. Can you read your shop name? If not, make it bigger and remove something else.
Step 4: What should the bag say about being compostable?
Stick to what you can prove. India's Plastic Waste Management Rules require compostable carry bags to be marked "compostable". Keep space for that marking and do not cover it with decoration.
Good lines for a printed bag:
- "100% Certified Compostable Products"
- "I am not plastic"
- "Please put me in wet waste"
Lines to avoid, unless you have specific proof:
- "home compostable"
- "disappears in 90 days"
- "eco-friendly" on its own, with no detail
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) expects green claims to be specific and backed by evidence, so a clear, provable line is safer than a broad one. The European Commission's page on bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics also explains why these terms need care.
Step 5: How should you check the proof?
Check the proof as if you were a customer seeing the bag for the first time.
- Spell-check every word, including the area name in your address.
- Dial the phone number on the proof. Type the website into your browser.
- Check that the logo is not stretched or squashed.
- Review each bag size separately; one layout rarely fits all.
- Ask whether the colour on screen will match the film, and whether a printed sample is possible.
Then approve the proof in writing, with a version name, such as "Carry bag 13×16, artwork v2, approved 10 Oct". If your phone number or logo changes later, send a new file and tell the manufacturer to stop using the old one. This avoids an old design turning up in a repeat order.
Step 6: What affects the price of a printed order?
- bag type, size and thickness
- quantity
- number of print colours and how much of the bag is covered
- one-side or two-side printing
- delivery location
When you compare quotes, make sure every supplier is quoting the same bag, the same thickness and the same print. Our post on 5 ways to cut packaging costs and stay compostable has more ways to keep the bill down.
Who prints and makes the bags?
We print and make the bags at the same plant in Medchal, Hyderabad, so the size, film and print are checked together. Our compostable range is DRDO Approved, Backed by DRDO technology and Made in India, and is sold as 100% Certified Compostable Products. We take printed orders from across India.
See the full range of compostable carry bags and garment bags. Restaurants can also read our takeaway carry bag guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I print my logo and website on compostable bags?
Yes. Send the logo file, the exact website and phone number, and the bag size. We will share a proof before printing.
What file format should my logo be in?
A vector file (PDF, AI, EPS or SVG) is best. A large, high-resolution PNG can work for simple logos.
Is a digital proof enough to judge colour?
Not always. Screens show colour differently from printed film. Ask for a printed sample if colour is critical to your brand.
Should every bag size use the same design?
Keep the same look, but adjust the layout for each size. Approve a proof for each one.
Can I write "compostable" on my printed bag?
Yes, if the bag is certified compostable. Use clear, provable wording and keep the required marking visible.
Start your printing enquiry
Send your logo, bag type, size, quantity and delivery city.
+91 91606 46468, +91 91606 56568 | www.earthboundproducts.in
Call us, email enquiry@earthboundproducts.in, or use the form on our contact page.
Sources
Related articles
Compostable Bag Size Chart: Sizes, Microns and Loads
Choosing Between U-Cut and D-Cut Carry Bags
